sjordan2

From what I can see, the Revell 2CV looks as good as the Tamiya kit and also offers the roll-back roof option as does Tamiya, and I don't see that in the Heller kit. Wherever and however you get it, there are some good choices here. The way I do this stuff, I buy both types of kits and put together whatever is done better by the two manufacturers. For example, in the 1/16 Mercedes kits by Minicraft and Italeri, both have their strengths and weaknesses, and I am currently expending a lot of labor to determine what parts I should rob from one for another, and which I should use as the main subject.

Evidently, the designers who gave us this have now turned their attention to cars.

In case you haven't seen it, there is some very nice photography in the 1:1 reference section on a '53 4-door. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=45428

I wonder if there's more reference detail for equivalent parts on the 1/12 Monogram '69. Couldn't find the instructions at the usual places, including the Revell-Monogram site.

Looks like this could be a trifle complicated.

:lol:

Here's how Alex Kustov did it on a Ferrari 275 GTB, which is close to what Cato and Jairus suggested: "Cam covers were cleaned, fitted with photo etched Ferrari scripts, primed...and painted with flat black from the distance to simulate "crackle black" finish of the real cam covers." http://www.italianhorses.net/Gallery/Resin/Hiro275GTB/275GTBC.htm I'd practice on a plastic spoon first. From what I've seen and tried, the important part is the distance of the paint from the subject.

Nice job, but HOLY MOLEY, how big are those picture files? I have the fastest download rate available, but this page took forever to load. Those pictures look big in this thread, and they're shown to be 20% to 25% scale. Can you post smaller images?

Let me just add this, which I have harped on for quite a long time... Many of these tips, tricks and stuff could be found by our members if we had a decently operating search function. I say this because of a new thread on 3D printing of plastic parts, which has been discussed at some length in prior threads over the past couple of years. I know the subject, I know the name of the earlier threads, yet MCM's search could not find it and gave me "no results found," then a page that just repeated the page on the MCM subject. How can we upgrade search? As I've mentioned before, it works pretty well at scaleautomag.com. But MCM has a much better and more advanced forum for serious modelers, and should overtake them in this area. If you don't believe me, here's a search of "3D printing" at scaleautomag.com: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/search/SearchResults.aspx?q=3d+printing&o=Relevance Here's a search for 3D printing on this site, where it has been discussed every bit as much if not more. How relevant is this? http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=quick_search&search_filter_app[forums]=1

There is an older thread here on this, but the search function can't find it. These 3D printers can be had now for under $10,000, and in some ways for much less. It's getting closer to the grasp of the everyday modeler. The only thing is that the parts, so far, come out a bit rough since they're printed in very thin layers, using a process pretty much like an inkjet printer, though that is easily taken care of, like somewhat rough resin parts. Our forum colleagues at TDR use this Rapid Prototype (RP) technology. One of its advantages is that you can print out your parts in any scale you want. In fact, as the video indicates, you can print out something like a complete engine with working internal parts in one pass, assuming you have the right computer files, without using a scanner. It's setting up the files that is the most difficult element of this. Over time, there will be more and more downloadable programs for producing what you want. Just like any early technology, it's a few steps away from being consumer-ready. One scanner demo I saw printed out a perfect head of the tech guy's mother. There are hand-held scanners that work something like motion capture for CGI movies, where little pieces of metal are placed on the surface of the subject to help the scanner record the dimensions.

Perfect finishes and great detail.

Here's the German version of the interior configurator provided by Peter. The only color difference I see is an espresso (dark brown) and black combo. http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/germany/mpc/mpc_germany_website/de/home_mpc/passengercars/home/new_cars/models/sls_amg/_c197/configurator/configurator_c197.html?tp_ccci=/dsc_de/globalsessionid/DSC_de68636A6A3E373763FF02065201555400/dsc_locale/de_DE/appId/DSC_de/siteLocale/de_DE/P3504ViewBean.jam1%3bjsessionid=00002Z7aFltH1AUi8B-YBdo3xrR:15hadq6lv EDIT: Actually, Peter's link is for Mercedes UK. Here's the US version: http://www.mbusa.com/amg/build/#/model-SLSC/section-sidebyside/

You ought to post this, or a link to this thread, in the General forum with the thread about the Moebius kit.

Was the new paint lacquer? I've often thought that lacquer over an enamel or acrylic base in strategic areas would add the right kind of wrinkles and cracks to simulate aging seats.

Just wonderful. Very smart detailing.

That's as good as any I've seen. Needs to be pinned. Many of those sites also offer additional information about their suppliers.

I nominate Donn. Or suggest that everyone buy his DVD!

Can these be reduced in pressure by using a rheostat-operated (dimmer control) power strip, like using a corded drill?

According to the color schemes in the link I provided above, that's porcelain premium leather, which is available in the US.

Color schemes here: Roll over each sample for color name. http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/sls-amg/2011/features-specs.html?style=&sub=

If executed that way, fine. But what's the difference between "Tips, Tricks and Techniques," and "How Do I...?" Is "TT&T" supposed to be unsolicited tips, and "How Do I" is people asking specific questions? A clarifying subhead would be good for each one. The old "Tips, Tricks and Tutorials" seemed to be a grab bag for both approaches. Not to add complication to the process, but I think "TT&T" needs to be broken up into subdivisions such as paint, interiors, suspensions, engines, etc. – whatever leads you quickly to better and more appropriate answers, but not so much that it becomes unmanageable. I hate to say this, but I think SAM has it set up more properly.

We have a long-standing forum on Tips, Tricks and Tutorials, plus two new ones on Tips, Tricks and Techniques, and How Do I...? How Do I...tell one from another? Management elucidation would be appreciated.

I like the gray guy. As Tony says, it adds size perspective, and to me, it doesn't distract from the build. Sort of like a department store mannequin that's just there to show how the clothing looks.

There are many fine tutorials available for car modelers, quite a few of them authored by members of this forum. I wouldn't know how to pull them into one forum or pinned section, or think that anyone has the time to do so. However, there is a site that I frequently return to in order to refresh my understanding of basic and successful approaches to model building. This is italianhorses.net, a site run by Alex Kustov, who is a master modeler of 1/24 Ferrari kits. His tips apply to any car model, though. There are any number of ways to accomplish what he shows, but these are good suggestions. At this site, you will find heavily illustrated, expert tutorials on the following: • Making your tires look more realistic • Building a photo booth for under $20 • Using photoetched parts • Building a display case for under $15 • Using real leather for interiors • Making window cranks and door handles • Making realistic vented brake rotors • Using foil for window trim • Using flocking for carpeting and floor mats • Detailing headliners • Making flexible hoses and brake ducts • Primer, painting, polishing and waxing • Making realistic fan and drive belts • How to make window masks • How to make realistic seat belts • How to enhance kit seats • How to use washes to accent panel lines http://www.italianhorses.net/Tutorials/tutorials.htm Also, if you look at his build journals, found on his home page, you'll see that each one is a tutorial in itself.

And, as mentioned in the thread on photography, it helps to use the timer so you don't even have to touch the camera. That has made all the difference in my photography of still life subjects.